Drug Dealing Cases Eyed After Police Misconduct Report

MANCHESTER, NH — Numerous cases involving an undercover Queen City detective, who was recently fired for misconduct, are being dropped and re-examined by the Hillsborough County Attorney, according to a report in the New Hampshire Union Leader. Thirty-five cases that Darren Murphy, who was fired in February, worked on including numerous drug trafficking busts will be dropped by prosecutors due to the misconduct. Another 34 convictions or plea bargain cases dating back to June 2015, will also be examined.

Police are offering limited information about Murphy’s dismissal. The report stated that he worked with the Special Enforcement Division, which handles drug investigations. Officials claimed that Murphy – who was a police officer for about a decade – was terminated due to a misconduct allegation that did not rise to the level of a crime.

Dennis Hogan, the county attorney, stated he was dropping the cases after consulting with other prosecutors who handled a similar issue inside the Nashua Police Department years ago.

The cases include Christina Stratton of Manchester, who was arrested last year allegedly in possession of heroin, crack, pills, $65,000 in cash, and $5,000 worth of gift cards as well as Edgar Caliz of Manchester and Tiara Cyr Cullinane of New Boston, who were arrested after a traffic stop allegedly led to the confiscation of a gun, Suboxone, pills, and cash. Another case that is expected to be dropped is against Amanda Montplaisir who was arrested last October for allegedly selling fentanyl. Steven Acorn, of Manchester, who was arrested in December 2016, for dealing heroin and crack cocaine, may also see his case dropped.

Juan Cortes, who was arrested on drug dealing and evidence charges in 2016, will also be eyed by the county attorney. Another case – involving robbery felon Jon Orme – who was recently convicted of dealing carfentanyl, also may be examined.

The examination of these cases couldn't come at a worse time as the city of Manchester, as well as the state of New Hampshire, is going through a major opioid epidemic, as noted by officials as well as President Donald Trump, earlier this week.

Read the full report on unionleader.com.

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